Enhanced slider

ABSTRACT

A zipper slider is provided. The zipper slider includes a slider body configured to slide along a zipper, the slider body having an upper wing. The zipper slider also includes a pulling member with two walls on the upper wing, wherein the two walls are longitudinally disposed on the upper wing and an assembly groove is formed between the two walls. The two walls include an aperture on each wall, wherein the apertures form a transverse channel. The zipper slider further includes a pull tab having a pintle, wherein the pintle is disposed in the transverse channel. The zipper slider further includes a cap configured to cover the assembly groove.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application Ser. No. PCT/CN2013/072906 filed on Mar. 20, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which claims priority of Chinese Patent Application 201220387379.2, filed on Aug. 4, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a slider and, more particularly, to an enhanced slider.

BACKGROUND

Zipper is one of the most practical inventions of last century, and is extensively used in a wide range of trades and industries. Traditional sliders of zippers may be categorized into automatic locking and non-automatic locking An automatic locking slider usually includes a slider body, a pull tab, a locking lever, a plate spring, and a cover. The cover may be fixed to an upper wing of the slider, and attach the pull tab to the slider. The plate spring and the locking lever may be disposed within the cover. The locking lever may receive pressing force generated by the plate spring. Under the force, a locking prong of the locking lever may pass a locking opening on the upper wing to be disposed in the space between two zipper teeth to lock the slider in a position. The pull tab may lift the locking lever when it is pulled. The locking prong may be subsequently removed between zipper teeth to release the locking of the slider to allow the movement of the slider on zipper. Traditionally, the locking lever, the plate spring and the cover are manufactured by press riveting. The slider body and the cover containing the plate spring and locking lever are also manufactured by press riveting. The manufacturing of a slider is complex and the efficiency is low.

The disclosed slider is directed at solving one or more problems set forth above and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a zipper slider. The zipper slider includes a slider body configured to slide along a zipper, the slider body having an upper wing. The zipper slider also includes a pulling member with two walls on the upper wing, wherein the two walls are longitudinally disposed on the upper wing an assembly groove is formed between the two walls. The two walls include an aperture on each wall, wherein the apertures form a transverse channel. The zipper slider further includes a pull tab having a pintle, wherein the pintle is disposed in the transverse channel. The zipper slider further includes a cap configured to cover the assembly groove.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a process of making a zipper slider. The process includes the following steps. A slider body with an upper wing is provided. A pulling member with two walls is attached on the upper wing. The two walls are longitudinally disposed on the upper wing. The two walls have an aperture on each wall, wherein an assembly groove is formed between the two walls and the apertures form a transverse channel. A pull tab with a pintle is provided and the pintle is disposed in the transverse channel. The assembly groove is covered with a cap.

Other aspects of the present disclosure can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a slider body with a pulling member of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a slider body with a pulling member of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a slider body with a pulling member of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cap of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a slider body with a pulling member of an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process for making an exemplary slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the slider 100 includes a slider body 10, a pull tab 20, and a cap 50. The slider body 10 includes an upper wing 11, a front end 101, and a rear end 102. A pulling member 12 is disposed on the upper wing 11. In certain embodiments, the pulling member 12 may be integrated on the upper wing 11. The pulling member 12 includes a transverse channel 14. The pull tab 20 has a pintle 21, which is disposed in the transverse channel 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view of an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, the slider 100 includes a locking lever 30, and a plate spring 40. The slider 100 as shown in FIG. 2 is in a resting state. That is, the pull tab 20 is not pulled. The locking lever 30 does not receive an upward pulling force from the pull tab 20 transmitted through the pintle 21. The plate spring 40 may be configured to exert a force to press down the locking lever 30. Under the force, a locking prong 33 penetrates through a locking opening 15 on the upper wing 11 and is disposed between two zipper teeth, which are located within the slider body 10 (not shown). The zipper is thus locked in a position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the slider 100 is in a moving state. An upward pulling force is created when the pull tab 20 is pulled. The upward pulling force is transmitted to the locker lever 30 through the pintle 21. The locking lever 30 is lifted and pushes the plate spring 40 upwardly. The locking lever 30 moves upwardly under the upward pulling force. The locking prong 33 is lifted and disengages from the zipper teeth that are located within the slider body 10 (not shown). The slider 100 is released from the locking state and the slider may move along the zipper.

FIG. 4 illustrates the slider body 10 with the pulling member 12 of an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the pulling member 12 includes two walls 13. The two walls 13 are longitudinally disposed on the upper wing 11 of the slider body 10. In certain embodiments, the two walls 13 are permanently integrated on the upper wing 11 of the slider body 10. However, the two walls 13 may also be removably attached on the upper wing 11. The two walls 13 may also have any appropriate shape and contour. The slider body 10 and the pulling member 12 may be made of any appropriate metal or non-metal materials. The metal materials may include aluminum, steel, copper, or other metal materials. The non-metal materials may include plastic or any appropriate composite materials. The slider body 10 and the pulling member 12 may also be made of any appropriate combination of any appropriate materials.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the slider body 10 with the pulling member 12 of an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, an assembly groove 131 is formed between the two walls 13. The two walls 13 may or may not be parallel to each other. A first protruding block 17 may be disposed in the groove 13 close to the front end 101 and a second protruding block 18 may be disposed in the groove 13 close to the rear end 102. A chamber 16 may be disposed anterior to the block 18.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the slider body 10 with the pulling member 12 of an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, an aperture 132 is formed on a wall 13. The two apertures 132 on two walls 13 form the cross channel 14. The apertures 132 may be in any appropriate position. In certain embodiments, the apertures 132 are located approximately in the middle of the walls 13.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary cap 50 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, the cap 50 may include a first receiving member 501 close to a first end and a second receiving member 502 close to a second end. The first receiving member 501 may correspond to the first protruding block 17 and the second receiving member 502 may correspond to the second protruding block 18. Thus, the receiving members 501 and 502 may allow the protruding block 17 and 18 to fit in the cap 50 for the cap 50 to cover the walls 13 and the assembly groove 131. The cap 50 may also include a first attaching member 503 and a second attaching member 504.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, the cap 50 may be attached to the pulling member 12 to enclose the assembly groove 131. The cap 50 may be removably attached to the pulling member 12. A user may remove a cap 50 on the slider body and attach another cap 50. Thus, a user may obtain one or more replacement caps 50 with the same or different exterior. A user may choose a replacement cap 50 to attach to the slider body 10 for any appropriate purpose. For example, a user may attach a replacement cap 50 for different look of the slider. The cap 50 may also be permanently fixed to the pulling member.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slider 100 may be in a resting or moving state. In the resting state, the pull tab 20 does not receive pulling force and does not transmit pulling force to the slider body. In the moving state, the pull tab 20 transmits the pulling force to the slider body 10. Returning to FIG. 8, the pintle 21 is disposed in the channel 14 and may transmit the pulling force to the pulling member 12. In certain embodiments, the walls 13 of the pulling member 12 receive the pulling force and the cap 50 may be configured not to receive the pulling force. In certain embodiments, both the walls 13 and the cap 50 may receive the pulling force.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of the slider body 10, pulling member 12 and cover 50 of an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, a front platform 151 may be disposed close to the front end 101 and a rear platform 161 may be disposed close to the rear end 102 in the groove 131. A first receiving structure 154 may be disposed on the front platform 151. In certain embodiments, the first receiving structure 154 may be a recess on the wall of the platform 151 at the front end 101. When the slider 100 is assembled, the first receiving structure 154 may interact with the first attaching member 503 to attach the cap 50 to the pulling member 12.

The first protruding block 17 may be disposed on the platform 151, and the second protruding block 18 may be disposed on the platform 161. The transverse dimension of the block 17 and the block 18 may be smaller than that of the platform 151 and the platform 161, respectively. Thus, a first sliding groove 171 may form between the block 17 and the wall 13, and a second sliding groove 181 may form between the block 18 and the wall 13.

As shown in FIG. 9, the channel 14 has a first cross transverse wall 141 and a second transverse wall 142. The wall 141 is on the platform 151 and the wall 142 is on the platform 161. The cross section of the channel 14 and the aperture 132 may be in any appropriate shape. In certain embodiments, the walls 141 and 142 of the channel 14 incline outwardly from the bottom to the top. The cross section of the channel 14 may thus have a small bottom and a larger top.

The slider 100 may include the locking opening 15. The opening 15 penetrates the upper wing 11 and the platform 151 vertically. The middle section of the wall 141 may be removed to accommodate the opening 15. The slider 100 may also include the chamber 16. The chamber 16 may be disposed within the platform 161. The chamber 16 may be formed by removing certain portion of the platform anterior to the block 18. The chamber 16 is connected to the channel 14 through an opening 144 on the wall 142.

The locking lever 30 includes a lever body 31. In certain embodiments, the lever body 31 may be curved. As shown in FIG. 9, the lever body 31 is curved outwardly. The locking lever 30 may include a pivot end 32 towards the rear end 102 and a positioning component 331 towards the front end 101. The positioning component 331 may be connected to a locking prong 33.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking lever 30 may be configured to dispose the pivot end 32 in the chamber 16 after the slider 100 is assembled. The positioning component 331 may be configured to be against a wall 152. The locking prong 33 may thus be configured to move vertically in the opening 15.

Returning to FIG. 9, the plate spring 40 is an elastic structure that is configured to be disposed on the top of the locking lever 30. The plate spring 40 may be in any appropriate shape. In certain embodiments, the plate spring 40 is an elongated rectangular plate. In certain embodiments, the plate spring 40 may include a first receiving groove 41 at the end close to the front end 101 and a second receiving groove 42 at the end close to the rear end 102. The receiving groove 41 may match the contour of the block 17 and the receiving groove 42 may match the contour of the block 18. Thus, when the spring 40 is placed on top of the platform 151 and the platform 161, the block 17 may contact the receiving groove 41 and the block 18 may contact the receiving groove 42. The spring 40 may maintain its position by the interaction between the receiving grooves 41 and 42 and the blocks 17 and 18, respectively. The plate spring 40 may be made of any appropriate material, such as elastic steel.

The transverse dimension of the receiving grooves 41 and 42 may be similar to that of the block 17 and 18 respectively, and the transverse dimension of the spring 40 at the two ends may be similar to that of the platform 151 and 161 respectively. Thus, a first sliding portion 411 and a second sliding portion 421 may fit into the sliding groove 171 and 181 respectively. The sliding portions 411 and 421 may slide on the sliding groove 171 and 181 respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pull tab 20 is pulled, the plate spring 40 receives the pushing force from the locking lever 30. The sliding portions 411 and 421 slide inwardly on the sliding groove 171 and 181 and the plate spring 40 bends upwardly. When the pull force on the pull tab 20 is removed, the sliding portions 411 and 421 may slide outwardly on the sliding groove 171 and 181, respectively.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary slider 200 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 10, the slider 200 includes a slider body 10, a pull tab 20, and a cap 50. The slider body 10 includes an upper wing 11, a front end 101 and a rear end 102. A pulling member 12 is placed on the upper wing 11. In certain embodiments, the pulling member 12 maybe integrated in the upper wing 11. The pulling member 12 includes a transverse channel 14. The pull tab 20 has a pintle 21. The pintle 21 is disposed in the transverse channel 14. When the pull tab 20 is pulled, the pulling force may move the slider 200 along the zipper.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary process 600 of making an exemplary slider 100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 11, the slider body 10 with the upper wing 11 is provided (602). The pulling member 12 with two walls 13 is attached on the upper wing 11 (604). In certain embodiments, the pulling member 12 with two walls 13 is integrated on the upper wing 11. The pulling member 12 with the two walls 13 may also be removably attached to the upper wing 11. The wall 13 has an aperture 132 and the two apertures 132 on two walls 13 form the transverse channel 14. The two walls 13 form the assembly groove 131. The pull tab 20 with the pintle 21 is provided and the pintle 21 is disposed in the transverse channel 14 (606). The locking lever 30 and the plate spring 40 may be assembled within the assembly groove 131 (608). The cap 50 is disposed on the top of the pulling member 12 to enclose the locking lever 30 and the plate spring 40 within the assembly groove 131 (610).

The process 600 may be completed without using press riveting. The pull tab 20 may be directly disposed in the pulling member 12. In addition, the assembly groove 131 is formed on the pulling member 12. The locking lever 30 and the plate spring 40 may be disposed in the groove 131 by insertion. The cap 50 may be snapped on the groove 131 to enclose the locking lever 30 and the plate spring 40. The whole process 600 is quick and convenient. Thus, the efficiency of making the slider 100 is improved. The process 600 may be completed manually or automatically on an assembly device.

While various embodiments in accordance with the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be changed, modified and further applied by those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the detail shown and described previously, but also includes all such changes and modifications. For example, the size, shape, and appearance of slider according to the present disclosure may be changed to adjust the use of the slider on different items.

A slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments may offer several benefits. A slider consistent with the disclosed embodiments includes a pulling member with two walls on an upper wing of a slider body and a pull tab is directly disposed within the pulling member. Because the pulling force may be directly exerted on the walls, the pulling member may bear great force. Further, the pulling member with two walls may be integrated in the upper wing and may bear greater force transmitted through the pull tab. Thus, a user may pull the pull tab with greater force.

Further, an assembly groove is formed on the pulling member and a locking lever and a plate spring may be assembled within the assembly groove. A cap covers the assembly groove and encloses the locking lever and the plate spring within the slider. The assembly of the slider body may not need press riveting and the assembly process is convenient and efficient. The manufacturing efficiency is thus improved. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zipper slider, comprising: a slider body configured to slide along a zipper, the slider body having a upper wing; a pulling member with two walls on the upper wing, wherein the two walls are longitudinally disposed on the upper wing and an assembly groove is formed between the two walls; an aperture on each of the two walls, wherein the apertures form a transverse channel; a pull tab having a pintle, wherein the pintle is disposed in the transverse channel; and a cap configured to cover the assembly groove.
 2. The zipper slider according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking lever having a pivot end and a locking prong; a plate spring, wherein the plate spring contacts the locking lever and exert a force on the locking lever; a chamber disposed in the assembly groove; and a locking opening on the upper wing, wherein the locking lever is so configured that the pivot end is disposed in the chamber and the locking prong penetrates the locking opening to be disposed between two zipper teeth when the pull tab is in a resting state, and the locking prong is lifted to disengage from the zipper teeth when a pull force is exerted on the pull tab.
 3. The slider according to claim 2, comprising: a first protruding block in the assembly groove; and a first receiving member on the cap to correspond to the first protruding block.
 4. The slider according to claim 2, comprising: a first platform disposed close to an end of the assembly groove.
 5. The slider according to claim 4, wherein: the first platform has a first receiving structure and the cap has a first attaching member, wherein the first receiving structure and the first attaching member interact to attach the cap to the pulling member.
 6. The slider according to claim 4, comprising a first protruding block disposed on the first platform; and a first receiving member on the cap to correspond to the first protruding block.
 7. The slider according to claim 6, comprising: a first sliding groove on the first platform, wherein the first sliding groove is located between the protruding block and one of the two walls.
 8. The slider according to claim 7, comprising: a first sliding portion on the plate spring, wherein: the first sliding portion is configured to slide on the sliding groove.
 9. The slider according to claim 1, wherein: the pulling member is integrated to the upper wing.
 10. The slider according to claim 1, wherein: the cap is configured not to receive a pulling force when a pulling force is exerted to the pull tab.
 11. The slider according to claim 1, wherein: the cap is removably attached to the pulling member.
 12. A process of making a slider, comprising the steps of: providing a slider body with an upper wing; attaching a pulling member with two walls on the upper wing, the two walls having an aperture on each wall, wherein the two walls are longitudinally disposed on the upper wing, an assembly groove is formed between the two walls and the apertures form a transverse channel; providing a pull tab with a pintle and disposing the pintle in the transverse channel; and covering the assembly groove with a cap.
 13. The process of claim 12, wherein a chamber is disposed in the assembly groove and a locking opening is disposed on the upper wing, comprising the steps of: disposing a locking lever having a pivot end and a locking prong in the assembly groove; and disposing a plate spring, wherein the plate spring contacts the locking lever and exert a force on the locking lever, wherein: the locking lever is so configured that the pivot end is disposed in the chamber and the locking prong penetrates the locking opening to be disposed between two zipper teeth when the pull tab is in a resting state and the locking prong is lifted to disengage from the zipper teeth when a pull force is exerted on the pull tab.
 14. The process according to claim 13, wherein: a first platform is disposed close to an end of the assembly groove
 15. The process according to claim 14, wherein: the first platform has a first receiving structure and the cap has a first attaching member, wherein the first receiving structure and the first attaching member interact to attach the cap to the pulling member.
 16. The process according to claim 15, wherein: a first protruding block is disposed on the first platform; and a first receiving member is disposed on the cap, wherein: the first receiving member corresponds to the first protruding block.
 17. The process according to claim 16, wherein: a first sliding groove is formed on the first platform, wherein the first sliding groove is located between the protruding block and one of the two walls.
 18. The process according to claim 17, wherein: the plat spring includes a first sliding portion, wherein: the first sliding portion is configured to slide on the first sliding groove.
 19. The process according to claim 12, wherein: the process is completed without press riveting.
 20. The process according to claim 12, wherein: the pulling member is integrated to the upper wing. 